Group XIV, Leadership and Community Seminar

By fellows John Bonsett-Veal, Oregon and Tracy Hoffman, Montello

The fellows of Leadership Wisconsin Group 14 were treated to the beautiful Heartwood Conference & Resort near Trego, Wisconsin September 15-17, 2010. The scenic Wisconsin nature setting helped them to define “Community” and provided inspiration as they worked together through issues to do with their own leadership styles, abilities and personality types. Leadership and Community was the seminar theme.  This session was moderated by fellows Brenda Jessen, Deanna Schuette and Angela Becker.  Presenting the course selections were Seminar Chair Dan Hill, Leadership Wisconsin Staff JoAnn Stormer, Rev. Larry Engel and Tim Pflieger.

Our first session started as Dan Hill led us through an interactive discussion on reflections on the essence of leadership using images that had been provided by the fellows, and later the interesting review of personality types and how they can prove to be a key to understanding people and how to best be involved with them. JoAnn Stormer helped us understand how to use personal reflection to better enhance our capacity to offer leadership services within an organization, committee or commission.   The core of the discussion focused on the value of reflection and learning how to improve leadership practice using the model: Activity – Reflection – Action – Activity cycle.

Thursday’s seminar session was provided by Rev. Dr. Larry Engel, pastor of Five Points Lutheran Church of Richland Center.  We had a lively discussion of community organizing and the arts of leadership, with a special section in which we learned “The Most Radical Tool of Organizing.”  After lunch presenter Tim Pflieger gave us an overview of an experiential approach to leadership group dynamics.  The core of Tim’s presentation involved demonstrations in teamwork and leader skills.  The fellows were led through our scenic surroundings with the use of a rope and blindfolds as part of an exercise to show us how our present mindsets are exhibited through our actions.  Further discussion provided the fellows with additional skills that will make us into more proactive leaders in the future.  Thursday evening, Rev. Engel provided a discussion to focus on the broader context of community organizing.

Our last day of the seminar, JoAnn led us as we covered leadership ethics, community and organizational change, and an activity that is becoming a favorite of the fellows in which we reflect and attempt to synthesize our discoveries and “Ah-Ha’” moments.  As we adjourned, we are fast discovering that we each bring something to the table from which everyone can learn.  John Bonsett-Veal said it best when he said, “My ah-ha moment was realizing we are able to draw from one another, not just during the seminars that we will spend during the next two years, but also over the course of our lifetimes.” The bonds, the friendships, the connections will be a part of us for years to come.